Understanding Islam
There are several major branches of Islam as well as a number of lesser ones. To better understand what is going on in the Mideast, one must begin to grasp the many differences within that religion. The best known are the Sunnis, and the Shiites and in those groups there are many visions, just as one finds many visions and denominations among Christians. One of the lesser known branches that appeared in the news recently is the one called the Sufi. The following article, written by Iman Malik and appearing in the Wall Street Journal presents a picture of that gentle branch of the faith.
-Editor
Read the article:
A Suicide Bomber and the Sufi Soul By Iman Malik
| Publisher Clayton Michael Kemmerer |
Editor LTC Thomas P. Curtis II |
Contributing Editors Rev. Michael P. Forbes David D. Fautua |
| Readers are encouraged to write in letters to the editor with questions and observations at the following address: tent@smotj.org | ||
Judaism is a monotheistic religion, with the Torah as its foundational text (part of the larger text known as the Tanakh or Hebrew Bible), and supplemental oral tradition represented by later texts such as the Mishnah and the Talmud. Judaism is considered by religious Jews to be the expression of the covenantal relationship God established with the Children of Israel.
Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur'an, a book considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Arabic: Allāh) and by the teachings and normative example (called the Sunnah and composed of hadith) of Muhammad (c. 570 BC – c. 8 June 632 AD), considered by them to be the last prophet of God.
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and oral teachings of Jesus as presented in the New Testament. Most Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, and the saviour of humanity whose coming was prophesied in the Old Testament. Consequently, Christians refer to Jesus as "Christ" or the Messiah.